What's happening
This bill requires New York to launch a statewide media campaign promoting participation and awareness in the 2020 census.
Why it matters
Ensures New Yorkers are aware of self-reporting options. for the census, which can reduce undercounting and make participation more accessible, especially for hard-to-reach or hesitant populations.
Connects census participation to federal funding and resources. , highlighting that an accurate count impacts services and investments in local communities—schools, healthcare, infrastructure, and more.
Mandates coordination across state agencies and multiple platforms. (like printed materials, TV/radio ads, emails, and social media), increasing the chance that diverse populations receive and understand the information.
Allows flexibility for the campaign to adapt. by letting the commissioner include any additional relevant information, ensuring messaging can respond to emerging issues or misinformation during the census period.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Launch Statewide Census Campaign
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to governmental operations
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 54–7
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.316
- Referred to investigations and government operations
- Referred to rules
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6883
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
December 4, 2019
Introduced by Sen. PARKER -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a two thousand twenty census statewide media campaign, informing the public on two thousand twenty census self-reporting services, requirements, and any other census-related activities or events; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 203-b to read as follows:
§ 203-b. Two thousand twenty census statewide media campaign. The commissioner shall develop and implement a statewide media campaign, in conjunction with relevant state agencies, to inform the public about the two thousand twenty census services, requirements, procedures, and census-related events or activities. It shall be the primary purpose of the campaign to inform the public of the importance of a complete and accurate count in the two thousand twenty census, in relation to accurately providing federal funding and resources to the public. The two thousand twenty census statewide media campaign shall include, but not be limited to:
1. materials and communications regarding the availability of self-reporting resources provided by state agencies or other state facilities including, but not limited to, forms, fact sheets, flyers, or other printed materials, signage, radio and/or television advertising, emails, or social media postings;
2. reminders regarding census-related activities, procedures or requirements;
3. links to two thousand twenty census information and events on all state agency websites and social media accounts; and
4. any additional information the commissioner may deem relevant.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed repealed January 1, 2021.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14215-03-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing a two thousand twenty census statewide media campaign, informing the public on two thousand twenty census self-reporting services, requirements, and any other census-related activities or events; and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof
Purpose or general idea of bill
Establishes a statewide media campaign to inform the public on informa- tion and services relating to the 2020 Census.
Summary of provisions
Section 1. Adds a new Section 203-b to the Executive Law, to give the Commissioner of the Office of General Services, in conjunction with state agencies, the authority to develop and implement a statewide media campaign relating to 2020 Census information and events.
Section 2. Provides the effective date and repeal date. JUSTIFICATION: The 2020 Census, a constitutional requirement, will not be successful in obtaining an accurate count in New York State, without assistance from State departments, agencies, and their resources, to inform the public of census-related services and activities. In 2010, 24 percent of New York's households did not self-respond to the census by completing and returning their questionnaire; requiring a more costly process of in-person enumerators to follow-up. Many did not know that they, or other members of their households, had to participate in the decennial census.
Historically, communities with high percentages of people of color, poverty, households with those under five or over sixty-five, renters, immigrants and those with limited English proficiency, and rural commu- nities lacking Internet access have been undercounted in decennial census .reports. A large amount is at stake if New York State is under- counted, such as losing congressional representation , federal program funding, and losing important institutions throughout New York communi- ties, such as schools and hospitals. The consequences of an undercount disproportionately affects the most diverse and vulnerable communities in New York State. To ensure an accurate 2020 Census count, a statewide media campaign should be developed and implemented to inform the public on important information regarding the 2020 Census.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
Effective immediately and deemed repealed on January 1, 2021
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.